2010 Subaru Legacy Sports Swept Design, New York Debut

Sporting a style very close to the concept that was shown in January at the Detroit Auto Show, the 2010 Subaru Legacy makes its official debut next week at the New York International Auto Show. The vehicle will go on sale this summer at Subaru dealerships across the country.

Phsyically, the 2010 Legacy is an inch longer overall and sports over three inches gained in wheelbase, height, and width. Despite these increses, Subaru claims just a 50 lb. weight increase for 3,379 lbs. total in the base model.

To our eyes, the 2010 Legacy looks remarkably similar to the Infiniti G37S sedan, down to the BMW-inspired Hofmeister kink (rear door glass protruding into the C-pillar). While the G - and this new Subaru - are undeniably handsome sedans, we're sad to see Subaru's low cowl and fantastically airy greenhouse go away. From pictures, it also appears the trademark Subaru frameless door glass is no more for the Legacy. From an engineering and rigidity standpoint this probably a good thing, but it's sad to us as it takes away some of that Subaru uniqueness and a touch of elegance.

Thankfully, Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive remains, as do its growly boxer engines. The base 2.5-liter gets a small bump to 170 hp, while the turbo moves up into WRX territory with 265 hp and 258 lb-ft torque, both available earlier in the engine's operating range. Subaru claims a 0-60 sprint of 5.9 seconds with the turbo, and hints that us hotfoot journalists should manage even better than that. A 6-speed manual makes its debut, as does a chain-type CVT that replaces the aging 4-speed automatic. The top engine option is a relatively huge 3.6-liter flat six, but at 256 hp and 247 lb-ft it doesn't come close to the Porsche flat six of identical size (Porsche 911 Carrera: 345 hp, 288 lb-ft), not to mention offering less power than the turbocharged Subaru 2.5. Let's hope it's got killer low-end twist and decent fuel economy.

The 2010 Legacy's front suspension continues with a MacPherson strut design but is now mounted to the engine sub-frame. In the rear, the multi-link arrangement has been replaced with a double-wishbone arrangement. Both changes were made in the name of increased stability, better handling, and more refinement.

New interior features include a voice-activated GPS navigation unit, ambient lighting, and 60/40 fold-down rear seats. Also new are an electronic parking brake and a revised hill-hold system for assist in parking on uneven surfaces.

Hey Subaru - will you ever give us your 2.0-liter boxer turbodiesel four offered in the European market? It would seem to resonate with iconoclast Subaru drivers who actually use their vehicles for moderate off-roading and mug-slogging, not to mention blowing away your gasoline engines' fuel efficiency.